The countdown begins: Singapore gears up to welcome ASEAN neighbours for the 18th ASEAN University Games

Singapore, National University of Singapore U-Town, July 4, 2016 – Singapore will welcome the ASEAN University Games (AUG) to its shores for the first time in 22years when it kicks off on 10 July 2016.

Following the resounding success of the SEA Games in 2015, the Republic will return to the spotlight of ASEAN sporting excellence to host the biennial tournament from July 9 – 19. A total of nine venues around Singapore will host 16 different sports with Nanyang Technological University (NTU) the site for the athletes’ village.

11-times champions Indonesia will be fighting to defend their crown while host Singapore will be aiming to capture their first-ever title on home soil and improve on their 27-goal medal showing back when they first hosted the games in 1986.

Beyond the sporting spotlight, this edition of the games aims to strengthen friendship between neighbouring countries and forge new bonds among students of regional universities by promoting the values of sportsmanship.

Said Associate Professor Tan Teck Koon, HOD for the Singapore contingent, at the administration briefing of the Singapore contingent, “We have our largest ever contingent with 335 athletes and officials and we are aiming to do better than ever at the AUG. Other countries are also sending big contingents so we are expecting a great games of sporting excellence.”

Similarly, the athletes are excited to do their nation proud in front of family and friends.

“As the host nation, the pressure is a little more but I have been using it to motivate me to train harder for this competition,” said Ashton Chen, who claimed the silver medal at the 2014 edition of the AUG. “I would be hoping to do one better this year and win gold in front of the home crowd!”

We look forward to 11 days of intense sporting action from July 9 – 19 at the ASEAN University Games as Singapore welcomes all the participants for the upcoming AUG 2016 to our sunny island! The opening ceremony of the games will be held on 10 July 2016 at the Nanyang Auditorium.

For more information on Singapore University Sports Council, please visit: http://susc.com.sg